Whirlpool (NYSE:WHR) Shares Gap Down – Here’s Why

Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE:WHR)’s share price gapped down before the market opened on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $83.21, but opened at $75.00. Whirlpool shares last traded at $76.6760, with a volume of 966,144 shares changing hands.

Trending Headlines about Whirlpool

Here are the key news stories impacting Whirlpool this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Company priced concurrent offerings that raise roughly $800M and said net proceeds will be used primarily to pay down its revolving credit facility and to fund investments in vertical integration and automation — a move that can improve leverage and support long‑term margins. Article Link
• Neutral Sentiment: Higher trading volume tied to Russell 1000 flows and index reconstitution likely amplified price movement today (increased supply/demand swings unrelated to fundamentals). Article Link
• Neutral Sentiment: Legislative headlines (H.R. 4626, “Don’t Mess With My Home Appliances Act”) remain a longer‑term regulatory consideration for appliance makers but do not change today’s dilution/govt of Whirlpool. (Quiver Quant summary available in feed.)
• Negative Sentiment: Activist Appaloosa (David Tepper) publicly attacked Whirlpool’s board and capital decisions in a scathing letter, calling the recent equity issuance an unnecessary dilution and demanding sweeping strategic changes — creating governance risk and pressuring sentiment. Article Link
• Negative Sentiment: Market coverage and analysts flagged the equity‑linked structure (mandatory convertible preferred/depositary shares) as a future dilution source when conversion occurs (around 2029), which magnified the negative reaction from investors. Article Link
• Negative Sentiment: Options activity shows elevated bearish positioning (a ~75% jump in put purchases), signaling traders are hedging or betting on further downside near term. (Reported trading data in the news feed.)
• Negative Sentiment: Broad press pieces (CNBC, MarketWatch, Seeking Alpha, The Motley Fool/MSN) amplified Tepper’s criticism and called out “squandered shareholder value,” increasing near‑term volatility and selling pressure. CNBC Article

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Zacks Research downgraded Whirlpool from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, February 9th. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their target price on Whirlpool from $82.00 to $75.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on shares of Whirlpool from $78.00 to $76.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, February 2nd. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Whirlpool from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, November 1st. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an “underperform” rating on shares of Whirlpool in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Whirlpool currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $85.43.

Whirlpool Stock Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.06, a current ratio of 0.76 and a quick ratio of 0.40. The company has a market capitalization of $3.88 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.16, a PEG ratio of 1.14 and a beta of 1.25. The firm’s fifty day simple moving average is $81.45 and its 200 day simple moving average is $80.36.

Whirlpool (NYSE:WHR) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 28th. The company reported $1.10 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.54 by ($0.44). The firm had revenue of $4.10 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.27 billion. Whirlpool had a return on equity of 12.98% and a net margin of 2.04%.The company’s revenue for the quarter was down 1.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $4.57 earnings per share. Whirlpool has set its FY 2026 guidance at 7.000-7.000 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Whirlpool Corporation will post 9.52 EPS for the current year.

Whirlpool Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 26th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 27th will be paid a $0.90 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 27th. This represents a $3.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.2%. Whirlpool’s dividend payout ratio is 63.72%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Whirlpool

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Flagship Harbor Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Whirlpool during the fourth quarter worth approximately $25,000. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. lifted its position in Whirlpool by 172.0% during the 4th quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 389 shares of the company’s stock worth $28,000 after acquiring an additional 246 shares during the last quarter. Garton & Associates Financial Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Whirlpool during the fourth quarter valued at about $35,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Whirlpool by 129.2% in the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 369 shares of the company’s stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 208 shares during the last quarter. Finally, SBI Securities Co. Ltd. lifted its position in shares of Whirlpool by 113.4% during the 4th quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 527 shares of the company’s stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 280 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 90.78% of the company’s stock.

Whirlpool Company Profile

Whirlpool Corporation is a leading global manufacturer and marketer of home appliances, with a product portfolio that spans major categories such as laundry, refrigeration, cooking, dishwashing and small electrics. Headquartered in Benton Harbor, Michigan, the company designs, produces and distributes its appliances through a network of wholly owned manufacturing facilities, joint ventures and third-party partners. Whirlpool serves both retail and professional markets, offering products under its flagship Whirlpool brand as well as several well-known names including Maytag, KitchenAid, JennAir, Amana, Brastemp and Consul.

In its laundry segment, Whirlpool provides top- and front-load washing machines, dryers and combination units designed to balance energy efficiency, capacity and convenience.